Democrats plan to include debt limit suspension in stopgap funding bill
CBSN
Democratic congressional leaders announced Monday they will include suspending the debt limit in a short-term government funding bill, as the United States barrels toward a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. The new plan includes funding the government through December as well as suspending the debt limit through December 2022.
By attaching the debt limit suspension to the temporary funding measure, Democrats are gearing up for a battle with Republicans, who have pushed Democrats to go it alone without any support from the GOP caucus. It's part of a broader push to derail Democrats' efforts to pass a large $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, including a number of President Biden's economic agenda priorities ranging from childcare to education and combating climate change.
On Monday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the legislation to fund the government through the end of the year would avoid a government shutdown. By including the debt limit in the provision, they're forcing Republicans' hands to help address the debt limit or vote against the bill and essentially in favor of a government shutdown.
